Navi not amused by Mervyn’s marriage proposal

Visiting United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay has reacted angrily to a recent statement attributed to Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva that he was willing to marry her. Well informed sources told The Island yesterday that an irritated Pillay had expressed displeasure when the video footage of the minister’s statement was brought to her attention. Having received a complaint in this regard, the government on Thursday expressed regret over Minister Silva’s statement.Sources said that Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, on behalf of the government, expressed regret to Pillay at a reception at the Colombo Hilton on Thursday evening.

Anuradhapura District UNP Parliamentarian P. Harrison lambasted the government for allowing a minister to ridicule a visiting UN official. (SF)IS